2027 Abia Central Poll Will Be Decided by Performance, Not Party Loyalty — Onuigbo

A former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, has said that the 2027 Abia Central senatorial election will be determined more by candidates’ track records than by party affiliations.

Onuigbo made the assertion on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the electorate in Abia Central are sufficiently educated and politically aware to make informed decisions based on performance rather than party loyalty.

According to him, while he is contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a state currently governed by the Labour Party, the real focus of the election would be on credibility and capacity to deliver.

“Abia Central is populated by well-educated people who can make decisions based on what they have seen. It is a hub of intellectual and industrial activities, housing the state capital, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and the industrial hub of Osisoma,” he said.

He added that nearly 27 years of uninterrupted democratic practice in Nigeria had strengthened voters’ ability to evaluate candidates based on verifiable records and achievements.

Onuigbo said his legislative record would form a key part of his campaign, adding that projects he facilitated while in the National Assembly demonstrated his capacity to deliver effective representation.

He listed some of his achievements to include the construction of the first Federal Secretariat in Abia State, rehabilitation of the Umuahia–Ikwuano Road, and the restoration of previously delisted science programmes at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

“There are numerous erosion control works that I did, as well as classroom blocks, water projects, electricity projects, and support for people through scholarships and empowerment initiatives,” he said.

He argued that such accomplishments would enable voters to make informed judgments when comparing candidates.

“The Nigerian electorate should be able to distinguish between genuine representatives and those with a penchant for deceiving people over time,” he added.

Onuigbo also expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would provide a strong platform for APC candidates to present their performance-based campaigns.

He further described Abia Central as a politically sophisticated district, noting that it has produced prominent figures such as Dr Michael Okpara, former Governor Theodore Orji, the first Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jaja Wachukwu, and former PDP national chairman Vincent Ogbulafor.

He also referenced the district’s connection to the family of World Trade Organization Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, describing it as a community of highly informed voters.

Onuigbo, who represented the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South federal constituency for two terms, expressed confidence that his record in public service would speak for him at the polls.